People are still scratching their heads over the firing of veteran head coach Mark Richt from Georgia after he had a pretty successful career with the Bulldogs, sending more players to the National Football League than any other college head coach during his time in Athens. Reid Park Director of Athletics Greg McGarity announced Richt was stepping down as football coach in a statement issued on Sunday.
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So, let’s assume for a moment that Richt does not want to be an advisor and does not want to step away from college football.
Now, his future as Georgia’s coach will include only one game. Richt has been allowed to remain as coach through the team’s bowl game. That’ll keep a football coach in most jobs, but not in the high pressure spot as the head man at the storied Georgia program.
“I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future”, Richt said in a statement.
Several other players declined to comment, but some did decide to weigh on Twitter following the team meeting.
Flood was suspended for three games this season for making inappropriate contact with a professor regarding a player’s academics. The Bulldogs lost in the 2011 and 2012 SEC title games. Also out after at least a decade were Missouri coach Gary Pinkel (health reasons), Central Florida coach George O’Leary (winless record) and now Richt. He’s a UM alum, he’s a great recruiter with extensive recruiting ties in Florida and if he can win 9 or 10 game per year in the SEC, think of what he could do in the ACC. 740 topping Vince Dooley’s. For those contributions, we are sincerely appreciative. He is 111-32 with a national championship.
In the past 10 years, the Bulldogs have only made it to Atlanta for the SEC championship game twice.
Georgia will hold a press conference Monday.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt looks on against the Florida Gators during the second half at EverBank Stadium. Is it a smart move to hire someone like Smart, who is a stellar coordinator but has no head coaching experience? “I miss coaching quarterbacks, I miss calling plays”. The win left Richt 13-2 in the state rivalry.
If McGarity flops with his new pick as coach, it will be viewed as his fault.
London’s contract runs through 2016. He replaces Paul Rhoads, who was sacked after seven seasons.
He went as far as to say that one of the things he wished he could have done differently was be more “hands on” as a coach during his 15-year tenure at Georgia. He went 35-15 in four seasons with the Rockets, including 9-2 this season with victories over Iowa State and Arkansas.
“Days like yesterday are hard are the most hard days in our profession, especially when you’re dealing with someone with the character of Mark Richt”, McGarity said.
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Richt called plays for Georgia until the Auburn game during the 2006 season.
